Aboriginal Senior Program Coordinator

Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Aboriginal Senior Program Coordinator

• Temporary, Full-Time up to 4 years
• Location: Hybrid, based at 6 Parramatta Square - Parramatta
• Clerk Grade 9/10 Salary ($129, 464 - $142,665 pa), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only

About Us

Youth Justice, New South Wales (YJNSW) is in a period of significant reform, and is committed to delivering improved services. We will continue to adapt our service system to better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities, in accordance with Closing the Gap, Target 11 and the Closing the Gap priority reforms.

Youth Justice acknowledges the importance of lived experience and how it contributes to the valuable work we do with the community.

Our commitment includes working towards an anti-racist workforce which is based on the principles of cultural humility and respect.

Your role

Lead the development, management, and implementation of initiatives that support the key priorities outlined in the Youth Justice Strategic Plan, while also contributing to the delivery of commitments within the Aboriginal Strategic Coordination Unit's business plan.

The Aboriginal Senior Program Coordinator oversees a multidisciplinary team responsible for delivering services and programs designed to reduce youth reoffending, support positive outcomes for young people, facilitate their reintegration into the community, and enhance overall community safety.

This role is committed to improving outcomes for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is committed to building a workforce that better reflects the perspectives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities we serve.

What you'll do

• Develop and maintain relationships with the Aboriginal community and key stakeholders to successfully deliver projects.
• Manage and oversee major aspects of project management and implementation, including monitoring project plans, coordinating resources, and managing budgets.
• Drive projects aimed at reviewing, monitoring, and enhancing the effectiveness of program development and service delivery for young people, their families, and communities.
• Prepare and present comprehensive project documentation—such as status updates, reports, budgets, and discussion papers—to keep key stakeholders informed and engaged.
• Provide timely, clear advice and communication to Youth Justice stakeholders regarding project progress and any implementation challenges.
• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team delivering services and programs, ensuring efficient resource allocation, ongoing performance management, and professional development to enhance staff capabilities and service effectiveness.
• Collaborate closely with staff, Area Managers, and a broad range of government and non-government partners to promote coordinated service delivery and uphold best practice standards.
• Implement management decisions transparently, ensuring staff are fully briefed on current initiatives, understand expectations clearly, and have confidence in leadership—consistent with Departmental policies, procedures, and best practice guidelines.

What we're looking for

• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012
• Aboriginality

In addition to the above essential requirements, the successful applicant will desirably possess:

• A strong understanding of Aboriginal community engagement principles and practices. You should have a proven track record of working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, in particular with Aboriginal communities, families and ACCOs, including community members, service users, and partner organisations.
• Experience in co-design, conducting needs assessments, and incorporating community feedback into program development is essential.
• The ideal candidate should possess excellent communication skills, empathy, and cultural competence to effectively engage with community members and build trusting relationships.
• A demonstrated and ongoing commitment to anti-racism

This is an identified position and only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons (see notes below for further information).

As an Identified role, this role is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia's First Nations people.

Where a position is identified, an applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification and authorised by Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:

Confirmation of Aboriginality form

or

Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

Appointments are also subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the 'Apply now' button.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply. You will need to attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum five pages) and a cover letter (maximum three pages) with a brief outline on how you meet the focus capabilities and requirements of the role and answer the two targeted questions below:

1. Describe a project you managed that involved collaboration with Aboriginal communities or stakeholders. What strategies did you use to ensure the project met its objectives and addressed any complex or sensitive issues? Please provide specific examples of the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
2. The role focuses on ongoing performance management, support, and development of staff, with a strong emphasis on cultural connection and understanding. Please tell us about your experience in supporting a culturally diverse team, particularly Aboriginal staff and young people. How do you incorporate cultural knowledge and respect into your leadership style and strategies to ensure the professional development of staff and culturally appropriate support for young people in the justice system?

Applications close Wednesday, 10th September 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Sara Dootson on or at

If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please email Olivia Alipalo via

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

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